Accelerator for dry pipe sprinkler systems

ABSTRACT

An accelerator for dry pipe sprinkler systems communicates with a dry pipe valve in such a system above and below the clapper thereof and acts to open a communicating passageway around said clapper upon a loss of air pressure in said dry pipe sprinkler system. The accelerator incorporates a pressure translator mechanism and a valve mechanism, both which prevent contamination from water in the sprinkler system from reaching the actuating parts of the accelerator.

United States Patent Zimmerman 1 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] ACCELERATOR FOR DRY PIPE 3,595,318 7/1971 Merdin'gan ..l69/l7 SPRINKLER SYSTEMS 3,616,860 11/1971 Willms ..l69/l7 [72] Inventor: Arthur Zimmerman, Fairview Primary Examiner uoyd L- g Park, Ohio Attorney-Webster B. Harpman [73] Assignee: A-T-O lnc., Willoughby, 01110 221 Filed: June 1, 1971 [571 ABSTRACT An accelerator for dry pipe sprinkler systems commu- [211 Appl' 148571 nicates with a dry pipe valve in such a system above and below the clapper thereof and acts to open a com- [52] 11.5. C1. ..169/17 municating passageway around said clapper upon a [51] Int. Cl ..A62C 35/00 1055 of i pressure in said dry pipe sprinkler system [58] Field of Search 169/17 The accelerator incorporates a pressure translator mechanism and a valve mechanism, both which [56] References C'ted prevent contamination from water in the sprinkler UNITED STATES PATENTS system from reaching the actuating parts of the accelerator. 2,969,842 1/1961 Ault ..169/l7 I 3,589,445 6/1971 Juliano ..169/17 6 Claims, 3 Drawing figures I 1 I 24 27 I \X 26 I )1 3 r -2/- 25 7 I 29 22 I 3/ l %5 3 I; 23 32 35 34 =5 I:

"(* R 3z 1 TT 38 E if Patented Aug. 22, 1972 3, 86

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. ARTHUR W Z/MMERMAN ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1972 3,685,586

' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v I! j J) 23 I9 FIG. 3

'INVENTOR.

ARTHUR W. ZIMMERMAN ATTORNEY ACCELERATOR FOR DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a sprinkler system for fire protection purposes and more particularly to an accelerator for differential type automatic sprinkler valves used in such systems.

2. Description of the Prior Art 2,969,842.

Prior devices of this type usually incorporate valves for equalizing pressures on the opposite sides of the clapper of a dry pipe valve in a sprinkler system. See U. S. Pat. No. 2,969,842.

This invention improves the pressure translator and valve mechanisms of the prior art devices and insures against contamination of the accelerator mechanism by positively valving off the pressure translator during the operation of the accelerator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An accelerator for dry pipe sprinkler systems is disclosed which includes a pressure translating mechanism and a spool type valve controlling a passageway around the clapper of a differential type sprinkler valve and a device responsive in operation to a loss of pressure in the sprinkler piping as translated by the pressure translator device to actuate said spool valve which, in turn, is arranged to open the communicating passageway around the clapper and close communication with the pressure translator device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic view of a dry pipe sprinkler system having a dry pipe valve including the accelerator mechanism disclosed herein,

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the accelerator mechanism, and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT By referring to the drawings and FIG. 1 in particular, it will be seen that a fragmentary schematic view of a dry pipe sprinkler system has been illustrated to include a fluid supply source 10, a dry pipe valve 11 in communication therewith and incorporating a differential type clapper 12 which separates the interior 13 of the dry pipe valve 11 from an intermediate chamber 14 thereof. Sprinkler piping 15 extends from the upper portion of the dry pipe valve 11 and includes sprinklers 16 which are normally closed. The sprinkler piping l and the interior 13 of the dry pipe valve 11 are normally filled with compressed air so that the differential pressure thereof on the clapper 12 is sufficient to hold the same in closed position against the fluid supply 10.

An accelerator for rapidly equalizing the air pressure in the interior 13 of the dry pipe valve with the pressure in the intermediate chamber 14 is mounted immediately above the dry pipe valve 11 in a housing 17. The accelerator consists of a spool valve 18 which is in communication with the interior 13 of the dry pipe valve 11 by way of a pipe 19 and with the intermediate chamber 14 of the dry pipe valve 11 by way of a secondary pipe 20.

A pressure responsive release mechanism 21 acts to partially rotate a shaft 22 when released by a change in pressure as hereinafter described so that an arm 23 on the shaft 22 moves a spool in the spool valve 18. A change in pressure for actuating the pressure responsive release mechanism is originated in a pressure translator 24 which communicates with the pressure responsive release mechanism 21 heretofore referred to.

By referring now toFlGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings the accelerator for dry pipe sprinkler systems may be seen in detail. In FIG. 2 the pressure translator 24 will be seen to comprise a cylindrical body member having openings at its upper and lower endsand formed of two portions so as to position a flexible diaphragm 25 therebetween. A cup 26 rests on the diaphragm and engages one end of a coil spring 27, the other end of which is positioned in the upper end of the accelerator 24. Air tubing 28 communicates with the upper end of the accelerator 24 and with a terminal block 29 and with a compensating vent 30 so that atmospheric pressure is normally present in the tubing 28 and the upper portion of the accelerator 24. The lower end of the accelerator 24 communicates by way of a mounting fitting 31 with an orifice 32 in the spool valve 18 which has a chamber 33 therein in which a spool 34 is reciprocally positioned. The spool 34 is normally urged toward the right end of the spool valve 18 by a spring 35. A secondary orifice 36 in the spool valve 18 communicates with the chamber 33 and a third opening in the spool valve 18 also communicates with the chamber 33 and with a pipe 19 as hereinbefore described which extends to the interior 13 of the dry pipe valve 11. A pipe 20 as heretofore described extends from the secondary orifice 36 in the spool valve 18 to the intermediate chamber 14 of the dry pipe valve.

It will thus be seen that when the spool 34 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings where it has been moved by the spring 35, the pipe 19 is in communication with the pipe 20 by way of the spool valve 18 and more specifically the chamber 33 therein.

It will also be seen that an enlarged valve section 37 of the spool 34 is in registry with the orifice 32 by way of which the accelerator 24 normally communicates via the chamber 33 with the pipe 19 and hence the interior 13 of the dry pipe valve 1 1. In such normal position, the spool 34 is therefore in the left portion of the chamber 33 which is axial of the spool valve 18 and an extending end portion 38 of the spool 34 is positioned further to the left than that illustrated in FIG. 2 while the arm 23 is substantially vertical and its carrying shaft 23 rotated approximately an eighth turn clockwise.

It will also be seen that in such normal position, air pressure from the sprinkler piping 15 and the interior 13 of the dry pipe valve 11 communicates with the lower portion of the accelerator 24 and moves the diaphragm 25 upwardly against the spring 27 so as to compress it in the upper half of the accelerator 24. Air pressure resulting from such movement upwardly of the diaphragm is vented to atmosphere by the compensating vent 30 heretofore referred to which is a restricted air passageway requiring a time lapse to achieve compensation of the air pressure in the upper half of the accelerator 24, the air tubing 28 and the diaphragm case (not shown) in the pressure responsive release mechanism 21.

The operation. of pressure responsive! Q and operationfresponsiveto a drop in pressure starts with moyement of: a diaphragm in a diaphragm 'whichlfr'novement releases latches which, in turn, permit the shaft 22 tor-evolve.-

-' Thespoolvalve l8'will beseen to directly support and; ean'yjthe accelerator24byway 'of the fitting mountingbracket 39', aright angularvertical extension mechanism 21 is substantially-the same as that dis- .closedin the aforementioned.U.-S.-Pat. No; 2,969,842

40 ofwhichsupports the shalt 22'a's may be best seen byreferring to FlG.3 of the drawings. The bracket 39 is also attached to the pressureresponsive release 1 mechanism2l so as to holdit'in the assembly .andis secured to the dry pipe valve '11 so as to position it in heretofore described .f v

Under normal fluid" the Sprinkler system is present- 'in' the fluid l pplyl0 and held in check the closed clapper 12 of the dry pipe valve 11. Compressed air is present in the interior l3 of the dry pipe valve 1 land the sprinkler piping 15 and the sprin- .the manner illustrated in FIG. I of the drawings and klers lflare closed. The air pressure communicates by a way of the piping 19 with the interior of theaccelerator 24 on'tlie owersideof the diaphragm and hereinbefore described, this compresses the spring' '2 7 and moves the diaphragm .25 upwardly therein from the positionillustra'ted in F l6. 2. Attl'ie same time the pressure-responsive releasemechani sm 21 is set so that its latches hold the shaftl22 in a position with the arm'23 thereof in substantiallyvertical position and therefore the spool 34of the spool ;valve 18 to the left of the valve asseen in FlG. 2 of the drawings'as is necessary to provide for communication between the orifice32andthe pipe 19. The spool34 simultaneously closes the com munication betweenthe pipe l9 and the pipe 20." "1- ,"Upon thefusing of a sprinkler16 the air pressure in the-sprinkler piping l5 escapes thuslowering the pres-- sure in the lower half of the accelerator 24and perdownwardly to the position {shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. When this occurs a partial vacuum is created in the upper portion of the accelerator 24; the air tub-' "ing from the system from reaching the accelerator sure responsive release mechanism.

that of skilled in the art will recognize contamination of the essential partsof the accelerator insure the operation of the same whenth'e sprinkler systemoperates. v Although butone embodiment of the present invention has been illustratedand -describedit will D 18? parent to those skilled intheart-thatlvariousjchanges and modifications may be made therein depart- 1 spiritof the invention. f i lclaimr 1 An accelerator' for 'use in a dry-pipe sprinltler h systemcomprisingincombinatiom'a spool valve having f at least one inlet port and first and outlet ports,

a spool therein being arranged toio'pen communication f between said inlet port and said first outlet port ina first position-and movable so as to provide-'communication between said inlet portand saidlsecond outlet port I 1 in a second position, a ressure responsive release mechanism operatively engaging said spool so as to control the position thereof in said's'pool valve and. an

air "pressure"ltranslator comprising a hollow body membenmovable means iii-Said hollow body member thereof .being incommunication with first outlet. a port of said spool valve and the other po'rtion'thereof j being in communication with'saidpressure responsive i portbeingin communica-.

- mitting ;the spring 27. to movethe diaphragm 25' mg 28 and the diaphragm casein the pressure 'respon- I sive release mechanism which results in movement of the diaphragm therein freeing the latches and permitting the shaft 22 to rotate responsive to the action of the spring 35 in the spool valve 18 moving the spool 34 to the right a to the position seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The movement of the spool 34 opens the communication by way of the chamber 33 between the pipe 19 and the pipe20 and thus permits the air pressure in the interiorlS of the dry pipe valve above the clapper 12 to immediately communicate with the intermediate chamber 14 below the clapper l2 whereupon the pressure is equalized. The fluid pressure in the supply pipe 10 canopen the clapper l2 and the fluid will flow into the sprinkler. system. "Simultaneously with the opening of the communication between the pipes 20 and 19 the valve section 37 of the spool 34 of the spool valve 18 closes the orifice 32 which had per-v mitted communication with the accelerator 24 and thus air pressure flowing-through the pipes 19 and '20 and separating the same into two portions; one'portion release mechanism; said inlet tion with said-dry pipe. 1

2. The accelerator of claim 1 and wherein said movable means in said hollow diaphragm thereacross.

v 3. The accelerator of claim 1 and wherein a spring is k positioned in said hollow body member, said spring normally urging said movable therein, intoone: end thereof, said movable means being normally posi-. j tioned in an opposite end thereof by air-pressure from yp 4. The accelerator of claim 1 translator and said release mechanism and a' compen- S ing vent communicates with said tubing to establish aunosphere pressure in said tubing and connected parts of said release and pressure a translator.

5. The accelerator of claim 1 and wherein a spring in said spool va ve normally positions said spool thereof in v a location opening communication between said inlet pressure transport and said outlet port with which said lator communicates.

6. The acceleratorof claim 1 wherein there is arotatable shaft in'said release mechanismandcom trolled there y an arm p Fn icula-rto said shaft and I andwherein airtubing establishes communication between said pressure,

engaged thereon, a slotted extension on said spool ex teriorly of said spool valve, said arm being engaged in said slot, spring means for moving said spool upon actuation of said release freeing said shaft. 

1. An accelerator for use in a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising in combination; a spool valve having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports, a spool therein being arranged to open communication between said inlet port and said first outlet port in a first posItion and movable so as to provide communication between said inlet port and said second outlet port in a second position, a pressure responsive release mechanism operatively engaging said spool so as to control the position thereof in said spool valve and an air pressure translator comprising a hollow body member, movable means in said hollow body member separating the same into two portions, one portion thereof being in communication with said first outlet port of said spool valve and the other portion thereof being in communication with said pressure responsive release mechanism, said inlet port being in communication with said dry pipe.
 2. The accelerator of claim 1 and wherein said movable means in said hollow body member comprises a diaphragm thereacross.
 3. The accelerator of claim 1 and wherein a spring is positioned in said hollow body member, said spring normally urging said movable means therein into one end thereof, said movable means being normally positioned in an opposite end thereof by air pressure from said dry pipe.
 4. The accelerator of claim 1 and wherein air tubing establishes communication between said pressure translator and said release mechanism and a compensating vent communicates with said air tubing to establish atmosphere pressure in said tubing and connected parts of said release mechanism and pressure translator.
 5. The accelerator of claim 1 and wherein a spring in said spool valve normally positions said spool thereof in a location opening communication between said inlet port and said outlet port with which said pressure translator communicates.
 6. The accelerator of claim 1 and wherein there is a rotatable shaft in said release mechanism and controlled thereby, an arm perpendicular to said shaft and engaged thereon, a slotted extension on said spool exteriorly of said spool valve, said arm being engaged in said slot, spring means for moving said spool upon actuation of said release freeing said shaft. 